Rate My Professor Connie Cirkony

Connie Cirkony is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University, with expertise in science education, and holds an adjunct senior researcher role at the University of Tasmania. Her career began as a biologist, shaping her teaching in elementary and secondary schools, work in science centres, and positions in regional and provincial governments in Canada, Japan, and Australia. She has taught pre- and in-service teachers at Monash University, the University of Tasmania, Deakin University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Victoria. Cirkony brings extensive experience in curriculum design and professional learning. As a former research fellow with the Q Project at Monash University, she contributed to a nationwide investigation into how educators use research evidence in Australian schools.

Her research specializations include science and STEM curriculum and pedagogy, environmental and sustainability education, First Nations sciences in online learning environments, and evidence-informed policy and practice. Key publications comprise 'How to Use Research Evidence Well in Education: A Guide for Educators and Leaders' (Routledge, 2026), 'School science: an approach to rethinking what students learn and how they might be better engaged' (Science Education, 2025, with Cirkony, Fragkiadaki, Gunstone), 'Beyond effective approaches: a rapid review response to designing professional learning' (Professional Development in Education, 2024), 'School educators’ use of research: findings from two large-scale Australian studies' (Research Papers in Education, 2024), and 'Understanding the Quality Use of Research Evidence in Education: What It Means to Use Research Well' (Routledge, 2024). With 48 research outputs, she utilizes methodologies like video-based ethnography, case studies, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and theoretical lenses such as systems perspectives and Two-Eyed Seeing. Cirkony has served on advisory committees including the National Council of Ministers of Education Working Group on Education for Sustainable Development, United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise Advisory Committee, Provincial Working Group and Network on Sustainability and Education, and British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Stewards of the Future Program. She is a board director of the Australasian Science Education Research Association.